It’s tough out there for reporters. If they’re not getting blamed for spreading “fake news,” they’re dealing with out-of-touch executives, low wages and poor career futures. That’s why you’re finding more and more reporters leaving the business and going into PR or marketing — like me.

But just because we’re removed from the newsroom doesn’t mean we’re not bringing over the skills that helped our outlets tell stories that matter. Here are five ways hiring a journalist will improve your marketing.

We’re Storytellers

In a world where you have roughly .05 seconds to arrest someone’s scrolling finger, it’s critical your content is compelling. Reporters are masters of developing content that lures you in and keeps you hooked.

Bottom line: A reporter captures audiences.

We Find What Matters

Reporters work a lot of beats, from criminal trials to high school principals. While we have our affinity and specialities for certain beats (I loved the cops and military beat), there’s a reason we can easily switch between beats. At heart, every reporter has the instincts to look at all the different pieces of a story and find the news.

When applied to marketing, that means a reporter can look at a dozen different data streams (focus groups, executive input, market research) and pull together the key pieces.

Bottom line: Reporters bring focus.

We’re Deadline-Driven

On a given day, a reporter is juggling a daily story on deadline, attending an event, editing an existing piece, fielding phone calls and working on a weekend story. And if he or she is lucky, putting in research on a long-term project. It’s a whirlwind environment, but excellent organization and prioritization make it work.

Granted, that’s not all that unusual from other work environments. But reporters easily transition into the deadline-driven world of marketing.

Bottom line: Reporters deliver on time.

We are great interviewers

Listening is an art form. More than just “hearing,” listening is the practice of pushing aside all your responses and just focusing on what someone is saying. A practiced interviewer can go one step further and take notes, anticipate the next question to ask and still provide positive affirmation as the subject talks.

Today I daily do interviews with students and professors for our content. It’s a skill that allows me to not only ask smart questions, but find the story that’s going to tell our brand. (See Point No. 1)

Bottom line: We find truth.

We’re Curious

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received as a cub reporter was “Question everything.” Reporters see the world through a skeptical lens. (Sometimes a cynical lens, I’ll admit.) Give us a process or procedure and we’ll ask you why it’s done that way. Show us the latest market research or trend and we’ll poke at it until see why it works or doesn’t work.

This propensity for questioning can lead to some big ideas and revolutionary thinking in an industry where the only constant is change.

Bottom line: We inspire change.